In a significant stride towards modernizing its naval fleet, the Pakistan Navy has launched its second Hangor-class submarine at the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group facility in China.
This event marks a pivotal phase in the 2015 agreement between Pakistan and China, which entails the construction of eight advanced submarines—four in China and four at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW) in Pakistan. The launch underscores the deepening defense collaboration between the two nations and reflects Islamabad’s efforts to bolster maritime security amid evolving regional dynamics.
The Hangor-class submarines, equipped with advanced technologies like Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) and cutting-edge weaponry, are set to enhance Pakistan’s maritime security and regional influence in the Indian Ocean.
Key Takeaways
- Strategic Launch: Pakistan launched its second Hangor-class submarine in China as part of an eight-submarine deal with China, focused on regional security and industrial growth.
- Local Assembly: Four submarines will be assembled in Pakistan, boosting local defense manufacturing and technical expertise.
- Advanced Technology: The submarines feature AIP systems, enabling extended underwater operations and enhanced stealth capabilities.
- Enhanced Capabilities: Equipped with advanced sensors, torpedoes, and cruise missiles, the Hangor-class will strengthen Pakistan’s maritime deterrence.
Why it matters
The Hangor-class submarines represent a strategic leap for Pakistan’s naval capabilities, addressing the growing maritime threats in the Indian Ocean. With regional rival India expanding its submarine fleet, including nuclear-powered vessels, Pakistan’s investment in AIP-powered submarines ensures a balance of power in the region. The project will bolster local defense expertise, create jobs, and strengthen Pakistan’s industrial base, making it a cornerstone of the nation’s maritime and economic strategy.
Pakistan-China strategic ties
The launch of the second Hangor-class submarine, PNS/M SHUSHUK, in Wuhan on March 13, 2025, highlighted the strengthening of defense ties between the two nations and Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to fortify its maritime security in an increasingly complex regional landscape.
Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami, Vice Chief of Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy, emphasized the strategic importance of the Hangor-class submarines, stating: “These submarines, equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, will play a pivotal role in maintaining the balance of power and maritime order in the region.” He also noted that the project symbolizes the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China, calling it a “new dimension” in their bilateral ties.
Key features of cutting-edge Hangor-class submarines
Based on China’s Type 039A/041 Yuan-class design, the Hangor-class submarines incorporate cutting-edge technology, including Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems and custom-made capabilities to meet the specific needs of the Pakistan Navy.
The game-changing AIP technology allows the Hangor-class submarines to operate silently and remain undetected for extended periods—up to three weeks without surfacing. This is crucial for modern naval warfare, where stealth and endurance are key factors in maintaining a strategic advantage.
Equipped with modern sensors, torpedoes, Submarine Launched Cruise Missiles (SLCM), and anti-ship missiles, the submarines possess multi-domain engagement capabilities, enabling strikes against both naval and land targets. The integration of advanced sensors and weaponry ensures that these submarines can effectively engage a variety of targets, from enemy ships to coastal installations, thereby enhancing Pakistan’s maritime defense capabilities.
Strategic asset
The Hangor-class fleet is poised to transform Pakistan’s naval capabilities, offering a credible nuclear deterrent in the Indian Ocean. Analysts note its strategic timing, coinciding with regional rival India’s expansion of its submarine fleet, including the induction of nuclear-powered vessels and the procurement of advanced Scorpène-class submarines. This move is also seen as a response to India’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, which have significantly altered the strategic landscape.
The Pakistan Navy’s modernization and submarine fleet expansion serves as a counterbalance to India’s growing naval power and regional security developments, ensuring maritime parity and securing critical sea lanes. The Indian Ocean is a critical theater for maritime security, with major sea lanes facilitating global trade. By enhancing its submarine capabilities, Pakistan aims to secure these vital routes and maintain a balance of power in the region.
Joint Manufacturing & Technology Transfer
The Hangor-class submarine program reflects a growing trend in Pakistan-China defense cooperation, combining technology transfer with indigenous production. While the first two submarines are being assembled in China, the remaining six will be constructed in Pakistan, boosting local expertise and defense industrial growth. This model promotes technology transfer, and also positions Pakistan as a regional player in advanced naval manufacturing.
By constructing the remaining submarines in Pakistan, the program aims to develop local expertise and boost the country’s defense industry. This approach not only enhances Pakistan’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing but also creates opportunities for economic growth and job creation. The partnership with China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Company (CSOC), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), provides access to advanced technologies and best practices, enabling Pakistan to build a robust defense industrial base.
Submarine Building Capabilities
The Hangor-class submarine project is set to significantly boost Pakistan’s indigenous submarine-building capabilities. By engaging in the construction of four submarines locally, Pakistan is not only enhancing its technical expertise but also developing a skilled workforce adept in advanced naval technologies. This initiative will lead to the development of a robust infrastructure for submarine manufacturing, positioning Pakistan as a key player in the regional defense industry.
The experience gained through this project will be invaluable for future naval projects, enabling Pakistan to undertake more complex and sophisticated defense manufacturing endeavors independently.
Experts agree that these submarines will be a game-changer for Pakistan’s naval strategy. “Hangor-class submarines possess strong underwater combat capabilities and will play a central role in the Pakistan Navy after their commissioning,” according to Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert. The AIP system gives the vessels “strong, sustained stealth capability, maneuverability, and endurance,” he added.
The submarines are expected to solidify Pakistan’s ability to maintain control over critical sea lanes and bolster its position as a regional naval power. The launch of the second Hangor-class submarine is a testament to the enduring partnership between Pakistan and China, reflecting their shared commitment to regional security and stability. As the project progresses, it will continue to shape the strategic landscape of South Asia, offering new opportunities for defense cooperation and technological advancement.
Launching ceremony of 2nd Hangor Class submarine, PNS/M SHUSHUK (Desig) held at Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Company Ltd, Shuangliu Base, Wuhan, China. VCNS Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/Cai1YvkVF3
— DGPR (Navy) (@dgprPaknavy) March 15, 2025
Expanding Pakistan’s AIP Submarine Fleet
Pakistan Navy currently operates five diesel-electric submarines, including three Agosta 90B submarines and two Agosta 70 models, with the former undergoing mid-life upgrades.
Pakistan is modernizing its submarine fleet through two parallel programs. The first involves acquiring eight Hangor-class submarines, while the second focuses on upgrading its Agosta 90B submarines in collaboration with Turkey. Two Agosta 90B submarines—PNS HAMZA (S-139) and PNS KHALID (S-137)—have already been modernized, with the third PNS Saad (S-138) currently undergoing upgrades. The modernization of the Agosta 90B submarines includes upgrades to their sonar suites, fire control systems, and electronic warfare capabilities.
With the addition of the Hangor-class submarines, Pakistan will have one of the largest AIP submarine fleets in the Indian Ocean region. This expansion, alongwith the modernization of the Agosta 90B fleet, will significantly enhance Pakistan’s underwater capabilities, enabling extended missions with improved stealth and survivability. This expanded fleet will provide Pakistan with a formidable underwater force, capable of extended operations and enhanced stealth, thereby strengthening its maritime defense posture and regional influence
“Blue-Water Navy” vision
With the first submarine launched in April 2024 and the second now in March 2025, the Pakistan Navy anticipates commissioning all eight vessels by 2028. The project highlights Islamabad’s commitment to a “blue-water navy” capable of addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges.
A “blue-water navy” refers to a maritime force capable of operating globally, far from its home shores. This ambition underscores Pakistan’s commitment to addressing a wide range of security challenges, from piracy and terrorism to regional conflicts. The Hangor-class submarines, with their advanced capabilities, are central to this vision, providing the Pakistan Navy with the tools needed to project power and maintain security in the Indian Ocean and beyond. In an era marked by shifting alliances and technological rivalry, the Pakistan-China submarine initiative stands as a beacon of collaborative innovation, reinforcing both nations’ strategic interests while altering the balance of power in Asia’s maritime theatres.
What’s next?
The significance of the Hangor-class submarine program extends beyond its immediate impact on Pakistan’s naval capabilities. It represents a broader trend of collaborative defense initiatives that are reshaping the security architecture of the region. The partnership between Pakistan and China, built on mutual trust and shared strategic interests, serves as a model for other nations seeking to enhance their defense capabilities through cooperation. As the geopolitical landscape evolves, the Hangor-class submarines will play a crucial role in maintaining stability and security in Asia’s maritime theatres.
The first Hangor-class submarine is expected to be commissioned soon, with the remaining units to follow by 2028. These AIP-powered submarines will enhance Pakistan Navy’s stealth, maneuverability, and firepower, enabling it to execute a wide range of operations more effectively in the Indian Ocean. The project will strengthen Pakistan’s Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities, a crucial factor in the complex security dynamics of South Asia.
The launch of the second Hangor-class submarine marks a key moment in Pakistan’s naval modernization and its continuing collaboration with China. With four submarines being assembled locally at Karachi Shipyard, the project boosts Pakistan’s defense industry and moves the country closer to self-reliance.
As geopolitical tensions simmer in South Asia, the Hangor-class submarines represent a strategic response to regional challenges, ensuring Pakistan’s role as a key maritime player. For the Indian Ocean region, this initiative signals a shift in the balance of power, reinforcing Pakistan’s ability to maintain maritime security and regional stability.
